Popular Indian reality show kicks up a polygamy storm

Younger generations' open-mindedness shakes conservative society

20240711 Big Boss

Women activists demand that India's popular reality show "Bigg Boss" be taken off the air due to the inclusion of polygamists as contestants. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

NEETA LAL, Contributing writer

NEW DELHI -- An influential Muslim YouTuber's inclusion on the popular streaming reality show "Bigg Boss," the Indian version of the U.K.'s "Big Brother," has triggered a nationwide debate on polygamy, an arrangement by which one spouse has multiple mates.

"Behind every successful man, there is a woman. And sometimes there are two!" says Anil Kapoor, a longtime Bollywood actor and the host of the show, in introducing Armaan Malik, 35, and his two "wives," Payal Malik and Kritika Malik last month.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.